Dealing with Parkinson's Disease

Non-motor symptoms of Parkinson’s can be just as challenging—sometimes even more so—than the movement symptoms . Caregivers often see the impact of these issues every day, even when they aren’t the focus during medical appointments. It’s important to remember that problems like mood changes , anxiety , sleep issues , or cognitive shifts are very real parts of the disease and deserve attention. If your loved one’s movement-disorder neurologist hasn’t brought up these concerns, don’t hesitate to raise them yourself. You can also ask the specialist to help connect you with a psychiatrist or mental-health professional who has experience working with people who have Parkinson’s . This kind of support can make a meaningful difference for both the person living with PD and those caring for them.

Parkinson news from Kirsten Gillibrand’s New York Minute Fighting for the Older Americans Act The  Older Americans Act  (OAA) is critical to support Americans living with aging-related diseases, like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. At this week’s Aging Committee hearing, Kirsten heard from witnesses about the importance of OAA-funded programs like nutrition assistance, home care, transportation assistance, and community engagement in helping millions of Americans live with dignity and independence. She called for the reauthorization of the OAA to continue these vital support programs. Individual casework is Kirsten’s top priority. If you need help with any federal agency, contact her at  gillibrand.senate.gov

 You are invited to participate in a research study about social connections and attitudes about aging in people with Parkinson’s disease ( PD ).   Your participation is voluntary. If you choose to participate, you will be taken to a website to complete an online survey about social connections and attitudes about aging. The survey is expected to take between 30 and 45 minutes.  Take survey here .

At first, I didn’t want to tell anyone. When I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, it felt like a private earthquake—my world shifted, but from the outside, everything looked the same. I thought if I just carried on as usual, maybe people wouldn’t notice. But Parkinson’s has a way of showing itself. The the frozen face, the slow movements, the voice that gets softer without me realizing it—it all adds up. Eventually, people began to ask if I was okay. That’s when I started telling the truth, at least privately to closer friends and family. I’d try to sound calm, even casual. “Yeah, I’ve got Parkinson’s,” I’d say, “but I’m doing all right.” I didn’t want sympathy or a sad look. I just wanted people to understand. Most of them reacted kindly. They said things like, “You’re strong.” “You’ll beat this.” “Let me know if you need anything.” And they meant it—at least in that moment. But as time went on, the calls slowed down. The texts got shorter. Invitations stopped coming. It’s not th...

Forget 8 minute doc appointments-for around $20 out of pocket, you can get a more detailed appointment. My movement disorder specialist checkup usually involves multiple doctors that are thinking, exchanging ideas, and keeping me in the loop. My input is heard. The appointment can last over an hour, could be 90 minutes sometimes. Maybe I just never noticed it before but code G2211 changes my appointment from a quick hello you look great, see you in six months to an actual doctor exam. Have you seen a billing code of G2211 on any of your bills? A simple explanation of the medical billing code from ChatGPT: The code G2211 is used by doctors when they believe your visit involved extra time, effort, or complexity beyond a standard appointment — usually because of your overall health situation or ongoing treatment needs. Here’s a breakdown in plain language: "E/Ms" stands for Evaluation and Management services — basically, your regular checkups or doctor visits. "G2211"...

Trying to explain to someone how much my spouse does for me is not easy. When they ask how my spouse is doing, my jaw tightens, my heart races and I want to disappear. But I calmly and politely say "she's fine."   So I asked ChatGPT to help me out and describe the life a caregiver.  Life of a Caregiver, described by Chat GPT (AI) There’s a job out there more demanding than most people can imagine. It’s 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. No salary. No sick days. No weekends off. No benefits package. It comes with high emotional stress, physical exhaustion, and a level of responsibility that never lets up. It’s called being a caregiver. Specifically, a caregiver to someone with Parkinson’s disease. When people think of Parkinson’s, they picture the tremors. The slowness. Maybe they’ve seen someone shuffle or freeze mid-step. But what they don’t see is the person behind the scenes—the one making sure medications are taken on time, adjusting the daily routine around unpredictable...

Yesterday, I did something I hadn’t done in almost a decade — I saw a chiropractor. And I’m glad I did. For years, I’ve been dealing with the chronic neck and shoulder stiffness that comes with Parkinson’s disease. The discomfort has been a constant companion, and while I’ve tried to manage it through the traditional medical system, progress has been frustratingly slow. Neurologists — the gatekeepers of my care — have always warned me against chiropractic therapy. They insisted it was unscientific, risky, and especially dangerous. Their strong stance talked me out of using a chiropractor for the past eight years. I trusted the doctors. But over time, it became clear that their methods weren’t addressing this particular issue effectively. Physical therapy was the alternative they recommended. And I tried. I put in the hours, followed the exercises, and showed up for every appointment. But session after session, I found myself feeling worse after the visit and questioning the process...

The Healing Rhythm: Exploring the Profound Connection Between Music and Parkinson’s Disease Music is more than entertainment. It’s a form of communication, an emotional outlet, and—according to growing scientific evidence—a powerful therapeutic tool. For individuals living with Parkinson’s disease (PD), music can do something remarkable: it can help the brain reconnect with the body. As Parkinson’s continues to affect millions worldwide, researchers and therapists are increasingly exploring how music, rhythm, and movement can aid in both symptom management and emotional well-being. The link between the brain and music is proving to be not just profound, but potentially transformative. Parkinson’s Disease and the Disruption of Rhythm Parkinson’s is a neurodegenerative disorder marked by the gradual loss of dopamine-producing neurons, primarily in the basal ganglia. This part of the brain plays a critical role in coordinating movement, and its disruption leads to hallmark PD sympto...

I heard this Elton John tune covered by Joni Mitchell and heard the words so loud this morning. I thought I'd share it with you. Joni Mitchell, Annie Lennox, Brandi Carlile and Sista Strings interpret Elton John's classic song "I'm Still Standing" at the 2024 Gershwin Prize for Popular Song concert honoring Elton John and Bernie Taupin at DAR Constitution Hall in Washington, D.C., March 30, 2024. "I'm Still Standing", with lyrics written by Bernie Taupin, was released as a single on Elton John's 1983 studio album Too Low for Zero.

April is Parkinson's Awareness Month and World Parkinson's Day falls on April 11, 2025. This day commemorates the birthday of Dr. James Parkinson, who first described the condition in 1817. During Parkinson's Awareness Month, organizations and individuals work to raise awareness about Parkinson's disease, provide support to those living with the condition, and advocate for research and treatment advancements. Consider making a donation Several nonprofit organizations dedicated to Parkinson's disease offer vital resources, support, and research funding. Key organizations include the Parkinson's Foundation, American Parkinson Disease Association (APDA), and the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research.  Here's a more detailed look at some key organizations: Parkinson's Foundation: This organization provides resources, support, and research funding to improve the lives of people with Parkinson's disease. They offer a helpline, web...

Jeopardy! Winner with Parkinson's Disease Competes 24 Years After His First Audition: 'My Dream Was Realized' Competing on Jeopardy! has been a long time coming for Harvey Silikovitz. “It’s been a longtime dream of mine to get here,” he told host Ken Jennings. “In 2019, I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s, but I continued chasing the dream, and now here I am.” continue reading on people.com

A Closer Look at Progress and Politics In December 2022, Congress passed a bipartisan bill that established the National Parkinson’s Project—a bold, long-overdue initiative aimed at preventing, diagnosing, treating, and ultimately curing Parkinson’s disease. The legislation, inspired in part by the success of the National Alzheimer’s Project Act (NAPA), was welcomed with hope by the millions of Americans affected by Parkinson’s, as well as their families, caregivers, and advocates. But more than two years later, one has to ask: what tangible steps have been taken since this landmark legislation passed? And how has the ever-shifting political landscape affected the implementation of this ambitious project? Promising Words, But Where’s the Action? The National Parkinson’s Project promised a coordinated, whole-of-government approach, including a federal advisory council to oversee and guide progress. This council was meant to bring together scientists, clinicians, government offici...